Oxford University - Part 1

Oxford University is a pretty different university compared to other universities, they have their own quirky traditions and names for things.

This week Michaelmas Term begins on 15 October 2015.

Oxford University has three academic terms, namely Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity.

Each term has 8 weeks. The week preceding the term is called Week 0.

There is the University, then there are over 20 colleges as well as faculties.

The colleges make Oxford University very different to others, as each student must register with a college. The college is where you will have a college tutor and a lot of other support e.g. library, IT, your "pige" (short for pigeon hole where all your mail can be sent!), college nurse, etc. Some students live in the college and then there is college accommodation nearby. The "lodge" is the reception at your college. Each college offers students different social groups like choir, band, rowing, etc. There is also a grand dining room for students to eat. So while it is cool to say that you studied at Oxford, saying which college you are from is cool (or uncool!) too :) You might see t-shirts with the college names e.g. Magdalen College, Jesus College, Christ Church College, St John College, Braenose College, etc.

So Athol is at Hertford College which is directly opposite the amazing Bodleian Library. It's a small college which has the famous Bridge of Sighs which connects two of the buildings.

"Sub Fusc" is a new term that we've learnt. It is the academic gown with cap and bow tie that students are to wear for tests/exams and events. In South Africa, this is only worn for graduation. Interestingly, only recently have they not stated what gender each needs to wear and now they only say that students can wear the hard or soft cap (previously soft caps for women only!). You can choose between a black or more traditional white tie and need to wear a dark suit. So we had to buy one since Athol will have to wear it quite a lot, the first one being this Saturday for Matriculation - which is when individuals become an official student. In South Africa, matriculation is when you pass Grade 12.

So it's been very interesting so far to learn the ways of Oxford University, where thousands of students have studied over many, many years. So much history in Oxford, it is know as "The City of Dreaming Spires". So I look forward to exploring more of Oxford.